RIA Novosti reported that Japanese automaker Nissan has launched the production of X-Trail crossover sport utility vehicles at its facility in Russia's second largest city.

Ms Tatyana Natarova a spokeswoman for Nissan Motor Rus said "Today we have started assembly of the Nissan X-Trail. This is one of the company's bestsellers and it will no doubt attract demand."

Ms Natarova declined to specify the output plan or the price of X-Trail cars to be assembled in Russia, saying the company plans would depend on economic indicators at the moment of decision making.

Nissan St Petersburg facility which was opened on June 2nd 2009 had until now produced only Nissan Teana business-class cars.

(Sourced from RIA Novosti)